Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance




By: Sean Williams
The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance is a novel set in the Star Wars universe that takes place during the Old Republic era, and is based on The Old Republic MMORPG.

Plot: A Padawan named Shigar Konshi, after finding out that the Jedi Council has deemed him not ready for the Jedi Trials, heads into the lower levels of Corrucant, where he has a run in with a Mandalorian named Dao Stryver.

Meanwhile, a smuggler's ship has destroyed a strange ship that has some materials that could change the tide of the cold war between The Republic and the Imperial Empire.  The remaining pieces fall into the hands of Tassaa Bareesh, a powerful matriarch in the Hutt Cartel, who puts the items up for sale to the highest bidder.  This causes both The Republic and The Empire to send representatives to Nal Hutta to retrieve the items at any price, or in any fashion.

While on Hutta, the ship pieces unleash something that could very well threaten the very existence of the galaxy if they are left unchecked.  This forces both sides to unite, to take on the threat that could consume the galaxy!

Review:  The fate of the galaxy is threatened yet again in this Old Republic novels where The Republic, and The Empire are on the brink of war.  That really sounds funny to any Star Wars fan.  The Empire would never put their quest for absolute power on hold for anything or anyone.  If this is truly what the Sith were like when they are a giant army, I have to totally agree with "The Rule of Two". 

Unfortunately for this series of novels, they have to fall into the MMORPG two-sided battle paradigm.  It really takes the mystery aspect out of the series.  Both sides are obvious, their motives the same, and one side will never truly prevail.

All that aside, the cover art is phenomenal, and the story is captivating, even if the plot has been played before thousands of years later.  But, the book is comfort food for any Star Wars fan.  A good read, but not over the top or fresh enough to get the full 5 stars.

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